Written by Sophiya MathewNew Delhi | January 1, 2026 06:20 AM IST 3 min readAQI in Delhi-NCR repeatedly slipped into ‘Very Poor’ and ‘Severe’ categories. (Express)THE CHALLENGEThis winter, despite anti-pollution curbs being in place and a dip in farm fires — lowest in five years — the air quality index in Delhi-NCR repeatedly slipped into the ‘Very Poor’ and ‘Severe’ categories.The year saw the most visible public outcry in the recent past over the pollution crisis. Starting from the November protest at the India Gate, Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta being met with “AQI, AQI” chants at an event hosting the football player Lionel Messi to the mounting petitions landing up in the Supreme Court seeking that the crisis be declared as a national public health emergency.Even when the source apportionment study that the Capital relies on is seven years old and requires updation, studies have underlined that the air pollution crisis is not limited to winter. Residents of Delhi-NCR are exposed to a mix of emissions from traffic, industry, waste burning and household fuels, along with dust from roads and construction sites. The challenge for 2026 is whether the region can move beyond short, winter-heavy emergency responses to year-round, measurable reductions across sectors.WAY FORWARDUnder the National Clean Air Programme, certain cities, including Delhi, are expected to achieve a 40% reduction in PM10 levels by 2026. However, an assessment by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) has found that Delhi reduced PM10 by only about 12% over six years since the programme’s launch.A World Bank assessment released this year on pollution in the Indo-Gangetic Plain has pointed out why progress has been slow. Transport contributes between 10% and 40% of PM2.5 pollution and is the single largest source in cities like Delhi. The report links this to ageing vehicle fleets, rising private vehicle use and gaps in public transport.Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director (Research and Advocacy) at the Centre for Science and Environment, said, “We cannot talk about air quality management in isolation without understanding how it is impacting people’s health. The approach to air quality management has to alter fundamentally.”She added that there is a need to fix the fundamental systems across all key sectors of pollution. “We have a clear idea of the sources, so each and every sector requires a target. Delhi requires another 60% reduction to meet the national clean air standard for PM2.5. There is a real need to leapfrog and build solutions…” Sophiya Mathew is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. She joined the Delhi bureau in 2024, and has specialization in Integrated Multimedia Journalism from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. Professional Background Core Beats: Her reporting is primarily focused on the Environment and Education. Specialization: She has gained recognition for her ground-level reporting on the Yamuna floodplains and the socio-economic challenges faced by those living on its banks. She also focuses on the disparities in Delhi's education system, ranging from elite private schools to government institutions and refugee education. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent work has been heavily centered on Delhi's severe winter pollution crisis and the government's regulatory responses: 1. The Air Pollution Crisis "A tale of two cities: Delhi govt schools choke in bad air, private classrooms set up air filters" (Dec 20, 2025): A high-impact feature contrasting the "Clean Air Bubbles" in elite schools with the reality of government school students who are exposed to an equivalent of 17 cigarettes a day due to outdoor exposure. "Delhi sees season's worst air day, second worst December AQI in nearly a decade" (Dec 15, 2025): An analytical report on the meteorological patterns trapping pollutants in the NCR. "Delhi bans non-BS VI vehicles from outside: Why curbing vehicular pollution is key" (Dec 17, 2025): Explaining the science behind targeting specific vehicle vintages to lower particulate matter. 2. Enforcement & Regulations "No fuel at pumps in Delhi without valid PUC certificate from December 18" (Dec 17, 2025): Breaking the news on the environment ministry's strict "No PUC, No Fuel" policy. 3. Education Policy "Law to regulate school fee in Delhi risks becoming procedural, say parents" (Dec 13, 2025): Investigating the loopholes in the new Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025. "Monsoon Session: Private school fee regulation Bill cleared after four-hour debate" (Aug 9, 2025): Covering the legislative passage of the controversial fee hike regulation. Signature Style Sophiya is known for her observational depth. Her reporting often includes vivid details from school corridors, hospital waitlists, or the banks of the Yamuna to illustrate how policy failures affect the city's most vulnerable residents. She is a frequent expert guest on the 3 Things podcast, where she explains the complexities of Delhi’s environmental laws. X (Twitter): @SophiyaMathew1 ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:New Delhi